Kuwait finalizes amendments to residency law, waiting for assembly approval

Sunday, December 3, 2023

The government has finalized amendments to the foreigners residency law and is anticipating its review by the parliamentary interior and defense committee, local news paper Kuwait Times reported.

According to report, the new amendments includes various proposal to counter iqama trade, foreigners’ entry and deportation.

The proposal mandates all hotels and aparthotels to report the residence of foreigners to the authority.

Ministerial decision will determine fees for residency permits, renewals and all entry visas.

Iqama trades will get a penalties of up to 3 years in jail and a fine ranging from KD 5,000 to KD 10,000.

If a domestic helper’s permit is canceled upon leaving the job, they must depart Kuwait within the stipulated time frame unless a new residency is obtained. Transferring the domestic helper’s permit requires employer approval, and staying outside Kuwait for over four months is prohibited without prior interior ministry permission.

The proposed law empowers the interior minister to deport foreigners, even those with residency permits, citing reasons of public interest, general security, public morality or lack of a legal source of income.

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